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“It doesn’t matter,” he said sharply. “She did incredibly heinous things, of her own volition. My bond with her was broken the day she killed my pack. I have no mate.”
“Maybe she was magicked,” Nia offered, the cogs in her head turning behind her wise face as she stepped up to the fire with us. “Or you were.”
“You think I wouldn’t have noticed?” he snarled in reply, the mere thought of having been spelled setting him on edge. She glowered back, her hackles raised as she went on the defensive.
“Relax, panther. It was just a suggestion.” I looked between the two of them, wondering if I was going to have to break up a fight eventually. Nia hadn’t fought in front of me, but I had no doubt getting caught in between them would result in my gruesome death.
Oliver joined us, holding a hand above the fire, and we watched in awe as the flames floated off of the burning pile of wood and absorbed into Oliver’s outstretched hand. Seeing my face, he winked at me, a small smile turning up the corner of my mouth. He turned to Callan, quirking a brow. “We need to get back on the road soon. Are you sure you’re up for the task? The goddess’s temple is in the heart of enemy territory. The likelihood we get spotted and killed is higher than not.”
A feral smile twisted his handsome features as Callan stood to mirror Oliver. “If she goes, I go.”
ChapterTen
Much to my chagrin, it was decided that Callan would ride on Varus’s back with me, given he was the largest of the three pagu. My protests fell on deaf ears as Callan crowded behind me, forcing me to sit as far forward as I could.
“I’m sure Oliver would love to ride with you,” I hinted at Callan as he settled into place behind me on Varus. The harness was barely big enough for two, which meant Callan had to get very close to me to be able to also hang on, his chest flush against my back. The magic iron bars held our legs in place as usual, but my every nerve stood at attention to the sweltering panther shifter glued to my back.
“I don’t want to ride with Oliver.” His hot breath tickled my ear as he spoke, and a slight shiver ran through me. I could feel his heartbeat where it thudded against me, strong and steady.
‘Have the hots for the panther shifter, do you?’ Varus’s amused voice sounded in my head, and I held back the spicy retort I had loaded. Judging by Callan’s lack of reaction, he’d only said that in my head. I refused to think about my body’s reaction to Callan, because then I’d have to ask myself why I cared. One night with the guy going down on me and it was like I’d turned into a smitten schoolgirl.
We flew for most of the day, only coming down for small breaks before getting back in the air. I had a new appreciation for the pagu and their incredible stamina, even if Varus was a dick. Slowly I adapted to having Callan behind me, who was not really one for small talk, but I managed to get some grunts and nods out of him occasionally. Even though I was forced to share my space, I found it comforting, his body heat radiating around me and easing the chill that usually settled in me while we rode. But I would die before I ever told him that.
When we finally made camp, we were all so tired from our rough morning, a quick dinner was all we could manage before retreating to our tents.
“Where is the meat?” Callan grumbled as he looked down at the offered orange I held outstretched in my hand. A giggle bubbled in my chest, but I fought it down, feigning a look of sympathy.
“There is no meat.”
“How can there be no meat?”
“Fae only eat fruit.”
“How can someone survive off only fruit? What the hell am I supposed to eat?” The look of disbelief on his face broke me, and I burst out laughing at the pure despair coming from him.
“You’re not going to die. Fruit is good for you.” Driving my point home, I bit into the fruit, closing my eyes as the familiar sweetness burst over my tongue. My tastebuds danced happily inside my mouth. I narrowed a look at him. “Is the big bad shifter afraid of a little fruit?” It was probably unwise to tease him, but I couldn’t help it. He was a panther shifter, but right now he just seemed like an angry housecat.
The orange was snatched from my hand and he bit into it aggressively, his eyes never leaving mine as he chewed. I’d never considered a man eating fruit to be sexy before, but there was a first time for everything.
“I love that attitude of yours,” he told me.
“Really?”
“No.”
* * *
Bang!
The earth shook with the force of the explosion. I jolted awake, Nia already rolling into a standing position, producing a thin sword in her hand within seconds. She spared a glance at my awkward form as I pulled myself up, picking up my dagger from where I’d left it next to my sleeping bag, the weight comforting in my grasp. I was already wearing my armor, thanks to Nia’s urging that we sleep in protective wear while in hostile territory.
“We are under attack,” she said seriously, head tilted as she listened intently.
“I hadn’t noticed.” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, but just barely, holding my knife out defensively in front of me.
Bang!
Nia grabbed my free hand, hauling me along behind her as she pulled us out of the tent and into the pure chaos outside. I coughed, the air thick with smoke that clouded my vision, threatening to suffocate me. A large, hulking shadow darted past us, and I let out a little gasp as I stepped to the side. Deep growls could be heard to our left, but I couldn’t make out anything through the dense smoke. A pained shout cut through the haze like a shot through my chest.
